The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island is delighted to host the Island launch of Professor Rusty Bittermann’s award winning book Sailor’s Hope: The Life and Times of William Cooper, Agrarian Radical in an Age of Revolutions at Province House (165 Richmond Street, Charlottetown) on May 16 at 7 p.m.
The public is invited to attend as Professor Bittermann will be on hand to present his book on William Cooper, an important figure in Prince Edward Island’s pre-Confederation struggle for land reform. As part of the Celebrate 160 Lecture Series, Professor Bittermann will also be speaking on “William Cooper’s Legacy.” The book launch and lecture are part of a series of events that will take place at Province House throughout 2011 in celebration of 160 years of responsible government.
Professor Rusty Bittermann is a professor in the Department of History at St. Thomas University and author of Rural Protest on Prince Edward Island: From British Colonization to the Escheat Movement and co-author (with Dr. Margaret McCallum) of Lady Landlords of Prince Edward Island: Imperial Dreams and the Defence of Property. His latest book on the life and times of William Cooper was the 2010 winner of the Publication of the Year Award from the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation and is a 2011 nominee for the Democracy 250 Atlantic Book Award for Historical Writing.
This year marks the 160th anniversary of the granting of responsible government in Prince Edward Island. To mark this achievement, the Legislative Assembly is pleased to welcome Professor Bittermann as guest speaker for the third event of the Celebrate 160 Lecture Series.
Admission is free; however, seating is limited and those interested in attending are asked to contact Barb O'Donnell, Office of the Speaker, at 902-368-4310 or by email at assembly@assembly.pe.ca.
Hon. Kathleen Casey, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, will host a reception with light refreshments following the lecture and copies of Professor Bittermann’s book Sailor’s Hope: The Life and Times of William Cooper, Agrarian Radical in an Age of Revolutions will be available for purchase (at a cost of $33). The Celebrate 160 Lecture Series will continue throughout 2011, providing an opportunity to learn more about the historical importance and present-day application of the concept of responsible government.